Gasolene-tank for motor-cycles.



L. R.l EVANS.` GASOLENE IANK FOR MOTOR CYCLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUGUZG I9l6.

L.. R. EVANS. GASOLENE TANK FOR MOTOR CYCLES.

APPucATloN 'l'LED Aumzs. 19m.

Patented May15,1917;

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* r tiring-r LEIGrI-I R. EVANS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

GASOLENE-TANK FOR 'MOTOR-CYCLES.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented May L15, 1917.

Application filed August 26, 1916. Serial N o. 117,073. y

` are attached to the frames of bicycles and motorcycles and which areused for holding gasolene or oil.

l [n certain well known types of frames for bicycles and motorcycles theupper part of the frame is formed by two bars which generally extendhorizontally and are parallel for all or part of their length; and theprimary object of this invention is to devise a strong and yet lighttank which can be easily and quickly, attached to these two bars oftheframes of bicycles and motorcycles of this type.

Other objects and advantages will appear lmrcinafter as the description.of the invention progressesand the novel'features ofthe invention willbe pended claims.

The invention consists in thel parts, and in the combinations andarrangements of parts which are morelfully described hereinafter. 4 y yIn the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated thev preferredphysical embodiinent of the invention and in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts in the several views,

Figure l is a. side view of a gasolene tank embodying the invention andalso shows the tank applied to the two bars of a bicycle frame; A

Fig. 2 isa perspective view of a clamping block constituting part of theconstruction;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of pointed out in the apthe tanktaken substantially on the line 8 3 in Fig. l and'looking in thedirection of the arrows; y

Fig.y d is a fragmentary. vertical section through thev upper part ofthe filling,v tube and, cap and.. Shows, the construction (0f the partswhereby a. vent opening` for admitting air to one section of theV tankis provided;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the lower partof one pair of theclamping strips and shows the position of the clamping block when thetank is assembled for shipment;

Fig. 6 is atop plan view of the complete tank;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the. bottom of the tanknear its middle and shows the curvedpipe connecting the two sections ofthe tank; and l Fig. 8 is a rfragmentary vertical section takensubstantially on the line S-S inY Fig.

G, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the bicycle or'motorcycle frameof the type above mentioned is familiar to those skilled in the art andto avoid unnecessary illustra-- tion, 'the entire frame is not shown;but to enable a clear understanding of the nature of this invention andto showclearly the mode of attachment of the tank to bicycle ormotorcycle frames of this type, parts of the two upper bars are shown astheyare usually found in such frames and are desig-` nated B and BL. Thetank as a whole consists in effect of two similar or'connterpart halvesor sections T and T alike in con-` struction `which are connectedtogether and are secured to the barsB and B" in the manner explainedhereinafter. VEachof the sections T and Tcomprises two members Al and 2.which are stamped or pressed from plates of sheet metal of the ydesiredthickness, one of thesemembers l forming the top, `bottom and one of thesides ,of a sec-` tion, and the other member '2 forming the other sideof that section. Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, the preferable shape of thesections T and T can be readily seen, both ends of theseV sections beingrounded so as to increase the'strength, and the rear, or right hand endof each section as viewed in Figs. l and 6, being tapered in width (seeFig. .6) so as toA obtain the desired clearance, and also in depth (seeFig. l) toperf mit the attachment of the tank to frames in which thebarsB and B are notparallel as shown but convergetoward eachother atlthe rear of the frame. It should be understood that the particular shapeillustrated, while I consider it to be best adapted for the specialpurpose to which I apply the tank, may be Varied as desired. rThe member2 is a fiat plate of the proper shape to t into the open side of themember 1 and is formed with a flange 3 all around its edge which isfitted inside of the edge of the member 1 and is Welded, soldered orotherwise suitably fastened to said member 1 so as to form a liquidtight joint therewith. At intervals throughout the length of the member2 vertical strengthening ribs or bosses 4 are pressed in the metal.

The tank is designed to be attached to the horizontal bars B and B, andfor this purpose two pairs of clamping strips 5--5, 6 6 are fastened tothemembers 2 of the sections T and T one pair near the front end of thetank, the other pair a short distance back of the middle, a circularreinforcing plate 7 being fastened to the inside face of each member 2opposite each of these clamping strips. These clamping strips and thereinforcing plates 7 are preferably fastened to the members 2 by thewell known method of spot welding, as indicated by the small circlesdesignated 8, although riveting or any other suitable manner offastening may beemployed. The upper ends of the clamping strips 5 5, 6 6of each pair are curved and overlapped and then fastened together, as byspot welding, indicated by the smallfdotted c-ircles (see Fig. S) andwhen the tank is attached to the bicycle frame,

f these upper curved ends rest onthe upper bar JB, as shown in Figs.` 1and 3. The lower end portions of the clamping strips 5 5', 6 6 project ashort distance below the bottom of the sections T and T andare providedwith pairs of alined holes 9 adapted to receive the clamping bolts 10,there being any number of holes 9 in said clamping strips as may benecessary to obtain the desired range of adjustment of the clampingbolts 10.

Between the projecting lower end .portions of each pair of clampingstrips 5 5, 6 6 is disposed a clamping block C, shown separately in Fig.2, which has two sides faces 11 lying in converging planes and two endfaces 12 lying in parallel planes. In the top face of the clamping blockC, as it is viewed in Fig. 2, is a comparatively wide concave groovelrshaped to conform to the curvature of the bar B and in the under faceof the block C is a narrower concave groove 14 shaped to receive aclamping bolt 10, the grooves 13 and14 being cut at right angles to eachother. When the tank is ass sembled for shipment, the clamping block Gispositioned between the lower end portions of a pair of clamping strips 55 or 6 6 as shown in Fig. 5, with the parallel end faces 12 of saidblock contacting with the inside faces of said end portions, and withthe wider groove 13 down and resting on the clamping bolt 10. With theblock C in this position shown in Fig. 5, the corresponding pair ofclamping strips may be drawn tightly together by tightening the bolt 10so as to hold the sections T and T of the tank rigidly together,without, however, bending or distorting said end portions ofthe clampingstrips. On the other hand, when the tank is attached to the bicycye ormotorcycle frame, a clamping block C is positioned between the lower endportions of a pair of clamping strips 5 5, or 6 6 in the position shownin Figs. 1, 3 and 8, so that the converging side faces 11 of said blockare in contact with said end portions, the wider groove 13 beingopposite the lower bar B and the narrower groove 14 being opposite theclamping bolt 10. YVhen the clamping bolts 10 are tightened and thelower end portions of the clamping strips 5 5' and 6 6 are drawntogether, the clamping blocks C are wedged upward against the lower barB, and this action in turn causes the whole tank to move down until theupper curved ends of' said clamp-l ing strips press tightly against theupper bar B, thereby firmly holding the tank on said two bars B andy B.This clamping takes place by reason of tension in members 5 5 and 6 6and not by reason of the bending thereof so that a strong clampingaction may be obtained with comparatively light members 5 5 and 6 6 andat the same time a strain is not put on the inside members 2 of the tankbody proper tending to bend them inward.

In one of the sections of the tank, this section being designated T inthe drawing, is a filling hole 15, around which is riveted and soldered,or otherwise suitably fastened, the edges of a filling tube 16, whichhas external screw-threads 17 cut in it foi part of its length near itsupper end. In these screwthreads 17V is cut a vertical groove 18 (seeVFig. 4) which is preferably V-shaped in cross section and is slightlydeeper than the depth of the threads 17; and at some distance from thegroove 18, preferably diametrically opposite thereto, a shallow notch 19is cut in the upper edge of said filling tube, as shown in Fig. 4. Thefilling tube 16 is provided with a cap 20 which has a downwardlyprojecting flange formed with internal screw threads 21, as best shownin Fig. 4, there being an annular groove or recess 22 around the insideof said flange above theJ threads 21. (To, the under face of the fillingcap 20 is soldered or otherwise suitably fastened the end of a measuringtube 23, which, when they cap 20 is in place, eX-

Cil

tends down intoithe section T of the tank, as shown in Fig.` 3.

The construction just described affords. a vent passage for air to enterthe section T of .a forni which has `been found byv actual trial toavoid any objectionable oozing or leaking of the gasolene through `thisVent passage. Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, it can be seen thatwhen the cap 2O is in place, the screwthreads 2l thereon eX- tendpartwayacross the groove 1S and in eiiect `act as baille` plates to impede anysudden expulsion i of air or gasolene through the groove 1S. The air toreplace the gasolone as it is drawn from the tank can, however, easilypass alongthe groove 18 to the annular groove 22, then in eitherdirection along this groove tothe notch 19, and then through this notchinto the space between the inside ci' the filling tube liand the outsideof the measuring tube 23 down into the tank. The size of` the groove 18,together with the baille plate action of the screw threads 21 and thenumber of` abrupt changes in direction in this vent passage, make itpractically impossible for sudden spurts oli gasoleneto `iind their wayalong this pzissage. j

filince the tank sections T and T .are sepa.- rate, it is necessary toprovide a vent for air to enter the section T, and such a passage isatlorded by small holes 24:, four being shown., in thetopof the `sectionT (see Fig. 3) which is` covered by a convex disk 25 having a` smallcentral hole 26. The space between the top of the section T and the diskQ formsachamber or pocket which receives any ofthe gasole'ne that may beAforced through the "hole 24. in the top ofthe section T, sothat thisgasolene will ilow back through the same hole 24 into the tank after thepressure which forces it out through th atholeis removed, thereby avoiding the leakage of gasolene through the hole 2G in the disk 25.

The tank is `specially intended to be used with engines of theitypewhich can be lubricated in whole or in part by oil mixed with thegasolene; and to facilitate themixing ot the lubricating oil with thegasolene in the right proportions, the measuring tube 93 is provided, sothat when the cap 20 is removed and inverted, this tube 23 may be usedto measure the lubricating oil and may be iilled ay certain number' oftimes for each tanktul oi. gasolene, as desired.

In the bottom of the section T is a discharge hole 27 which communicateswith a bore or chamber in a sediment cup 28 which has a removable plug29 in its lower end for cleaning purposes. i il cutoff valve or cock 30is screwed into the sediment cup 28 a short distance from the bottom andis connected to the usual gasolene supply pipe (not unionsk Bel ofordinary construction.

ter applied.

the ends of this pipe 33 and the sediment cup 28 and the fitting beingby means of The pipe 33 connects the two sections T anc T of the tank sothat these sections will empty equally; andthe pipe 33 being easily bentwithout injury, does not interfere with the movement of the sections ofthe tank toward each other as may be necessary to obtain a tightclamping of the sections on the bars B and Bl of the bicycle frame asexplained hereinbefore i i Tn assembling the parts of the tank, theiilling tube 16 and the sediment cup 28 are riveted and soldered to themember 1 of the section T before the member 2 of this sec tion isconnected to said member 1, and since free access ishadto both faces ofthe topV and bottom of the member 1, the rivets or other fastening meansused may be bet- Tn the same way, the iitting is fastened tothe member 1of the section T before the member 2 of this sectionis assembled. Afterthe members 2 are shaped and the flange 3 and the ribs 1 formed, thereinii'orcii-ig plates 7 and the clamping strips 5-5 and (is-6 arewelded to said members 2; and then the members 1 and 2 of each sectionare assembled together and the joints soldered or otherwise made liquidtight. The two sections are then placed together with the upper curvedend portions of the Aclamping strips and 6 6 overlapped and spot welded,the clamping blocks C are placed between the lower ends of said clampingstrips in the position shown in Fig. 5, and the bolts 19 inserted andtightened, whereupon the tank is ready tor shipment. When attaching thetank to the `bars B and B of a bicycle Jframe, the Vbolts 10 and theblocks C are removed and the tank is slipped down over the bars, thenthe blocks C are replaced between the lower ends of the clamping stripsbut changed in position as shown in Fig. 3, and the bolts 10 insertedand tightened. The wedging action of the blocks C, together with thedrawing together of the clamping strips serves to X the tank iirmly tothe bars B and B of the bicycle frame; and it is apparent that theconstruetion of the attaching means is such that the tank can be firmlyattached to bicycle frames in which there is some variation in thespacing and arrangement of the bars B and B.

The strength of the tank is increased by rounding all edges and corners,by the ribs i pressed in themembers 2 of each section, the reinforcingplates 7, and by the clamping strips 5-5, and 6 6', the whole structureforming a container of great strength compared with its weight and onewhich is well adapted for use as a gasolenetank for vehicles and forother purposes where such tanks are subjectedto severe stresses andvibrations. Other advantages of the construction embodying the inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art without furtherexplanation.y

Obviously various changes may be made in the particular constructionshown and described without departing from my invention, and l do notwish to be restricted kto the details of the construction shown anddescribed.

What l claim is: l. A gasolene tank comprising' two counterpart sectionsspaced apart, pairs of strips fastened to said sections and having theirupper end portions fastened together ini overlapping relation, the lowerend portions of said strips projecting` below the bottom of saidsections, a block disposed between the lower projecting end portions ofeach pair of strips and having side faces disposed in converging planesin contact with said lend p0rtions, and means for drawing the lowerprojecting end portions of said pairs ofy strips toward each other.

2. A gasolene tank comprising two counterpart sections spaced apart,pairs of strips connected to said sections and having their upper endportions fastened together, they lower end portions of said stripsprojecting below the bottom of said sections, a remov able blockdisposed between said lower end portions of each pair of strips 'andhaving side faces disposed in converging planes and in Contact with saidend portions of said strips, said block having a concave groove in itsupper face, the end faces of said block being parallel and spaced aparta distance substantially equal to the space between Copies of thispatent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissionerof Patents, f

said sections, whereby said block may be placed between the end portionsof each pair of strips in position to hold said end portions parallel,and clamping bolts passing through the lower end portions of each pairof strips. f

3. A gasolene tank comprising two counterpart sections spaced apart,pairs of strips fastened to said sections and connecting said sec-tionsalong their upper edges, the lower end portions of said strips beingextended below the bottom edges of said sections, a removable blockdisposed between the lower end portions of each pair of strips, the sidefaces of said block being disposed in converging planes and the endfaces of said block being parallel, whereby said block'inay be placedbetween the lower end portions of each pair of strips in position tomain tain said end portions parallel or to permit said end portions toconverge together downward, and clamping bolts passing through the lowerend portions of each pair of strips below the corresponding block andserving to draw said end portions together.

4t. A gasolene tank comprising two counterpart sections spaced apart,pairs of strips fastened to said sections and having their upper endportions fastened together in loverlapping relation, the lower endportions of said strips projecting below the lower edges of saidsections, a curved bendable pipe connected at its ends to the bottoms ofsaid sections, and means for drawing the lower projecting end portionsof said strips together.

5. A gasolene tank comprising two counterpart sections spaced apart,each section being formed of two members of sheet metal fastenedtogether, one of said members forming the top, bottom and one side of asection, the other member forming the other side of the correspondingsection, a curved bendable pipe connected at its ends to the bottom ofsaid sections, and means for con necting said sections together.

LEIGH R. EVANS.

Washington, D. C.

